Earlier, Vietnam News Agency reported that Ô Loan Lagoon, a national beauty spot covering an area of 1,570ha, had been illegally encroached upon to construct houses, shrimp ponds and food stores despite efforts by local authorities.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Phan Đình Phùng said provincial authorities would hold a meeting with Tuy An District’s authorities and relevant agencies to deal with violations and identify responsibilities to manage and preserve the tourism area.

According to Tuy An District’s People’s Committee, some 577 households are breeding shrimps in 388ha of water, of which only 77ha is licensed. Other areas have been illegally encroached upon by locals.

Hoàng Ngọc Mùi, head of the natural resources and environment department of Tuy An District, said due to lax measures by local authorities, some households secretly upgraded their houses on the land belonging to the lagoon.

Ô Loan is a brackish water lagoon located at the end of Quán Cau pass, in proximity to the National Highway 1A. It is famous for its natural beauty and many kinds of special seafood, such as bloody shells, crabs, shrimps and jelly fish, as well as oysters, edible seaweed.

Ô Loan lagoon was recognised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Level Landscape Vestiges in 1996. — VNS